Chance to play stateside thrills Rockets’ Beverley

﻿﻿﻿Patrick Beverley never complained. He couldn’t. He loved it. From the Ukraine to Greece and finally Russia, he was playing basketball and getting better, and he “enjoyed it all.” He just was not home.

As it turned out, home was not even home anymore. But sometimes, after enough dues are paid, things work out in unexpected ways.

On Monday, Beverley joined the Rockets, celebrating happy coincidences and calling mere practice on an NBA court “a dream come true.” He signed a three-year deal (with the second and third seasons at team options) last week. The Rockets released rookie Scott Machado to open a roster spot before Beverley turned heads with a strong first day.

“I’m just ecstatic right now,” said Beverley, who most recently played with Spartak St. Petersburg in Russia, averaging 15 points per game in his latest season. “I’m happy to be home. I’m definitely a big fan of everything happens for a reason. I’m trying to soak it in myself.

“My mother’s here. She moved here three years ago. She got tired of Chicago. I was fortunate to open up her nail salon here in Houston. She’s been working here ever since.

“I’m just trying to get used to everything. I haven’t had American food in six months. It’s different looking at a TV. Everybody speaks English. I understand what people are saying walking down the street.”

A 2009 second-round pick of the Lakers, Beverley said his international career helped him grow as a player and person.

“He has a developing point guard game with an ability to attack and score, is an improving shooter and an impressive athlete,” said Rockets vice president for basketball operations Gersson Rosas. “He is a strong defender.”

He has already made an impression here.

“Patrick is a heck of an athlete,” Rockets coach Kevin McHale said. “He has great quickness, shot the ball really well. For a first day with a bunch of guys, I was impressed with his ability to make things happen off the dribble.”

His transition will begin in the NBA Development league, and Beverley said that would be fine with him, having traveled much greater lengths to get this far.

“It was a great experience,” Beverley said. “If I had to do it all over again, I’d do it the same way. I love overseas. I enjoyed my experience.

“Wherever basketball takes me, it takes me. I’m very fortunate. I’m going to take advantage of this opportunity.”